A Melbourne native and wanderer at heart, Alicia Millan was always inspired by nature and the beauty she discovered in her surroundings. And while it may seem as though she’s always been creating stunning jewels, she actually happened upon this path quit...

Ali Heiss has been designing jewelry since 2011 when she founded Amarilo. The brand was rebirthed when Ali found a kindred spirit in Stella Simona, the co-owner of Amarilo. Ali’s personal style is rooted in minimalism and her designs follow suit, “...

Graphic designer turned jewelry designer Ashley Thorne has always been creatively inclined. Inspired by clean spaces, this elegance translates into the work that she creates, and she focuses on reinventing simple designs with subtle details. “I touch eve...

This collection was designed very swiftly when I visited Los Angeles and met with Rachel for the first time. I immediately understood her style and aesthetic; I was sitting in her home and knew right away what type of pieces I should be designing to repr...

When Anna Sheffield began to dabble in jewelry making, she was in the midst of completing her BFA in Sculpture. Inspired by the purity of designing and creating with her hands, she launched Bing Bang, translating her high/low style into wearable pieces. ...

After Elisabetta Marrella graduated from OCAD University, she knew that she wanted to be an artist, though slightly cynical about what that word entailed. “I was really motivated by art history; this Roman notion of bread and circuses and what it meant, as ...

Before launching her own line, Carrie Dennahy was a jewelry buyer; she began her jewelry line when she saw the opportunity for a new challenge and a gap in the market that she knew she could fill. “When launching your own business, you face so much anxie...

Inspired by love, magic, and the mysticism of the universe, Charlie and Marcelle is Kristina Jacob’s tangible manifestation of these concepts. Invited to sell at the flea market launch for Space 15 Twenty in 2009, she stopped into craft store with $100 i...

Liz Thayer was never a stranger to legacy. As the founder of sewing and design studio, Claflin, Thayer & Co., she has carried on the same name that her great-grandfather first established in 1830. "The business was a family affair for over a hu...

Specializing in modern heirlooms, founder Claire Kinder Barrett launched her namesake line with the hopes of producing classic pieces able to last a lifetime. With a strong belief that “they don’t make it like they used to,” the designer’s greatest passi...

“Luxury is a state of mind.” At least that’s what Common Muse believes, and it’s a sentiment the line has carried with it since its conception. With a focus on creating refined and sophisticated pieces for lower price tags than you’d expect, they’re prov...

Joy Smith found her calling as an artist through jewelry when she first discovered the medium over 10 years ago. Her hand-sculpted creations come to life during her deep meditation, and she is endlessly inspired by the mysteries of life. “I loved art and wa...

Having studied sculpture at SAIC, Cursive Design founder Sarah Fox discovered jewelry design organically, dabbling from home and eventually leading itself to a full-time creative pursuit. “I started my line in 2005. It was pre-Etsy and a very exciting time ...

A mother and owner of her own storefront and jewelry line, Jessica Lawson knows a thing or two about keeping busy. Initially a creative outlet more so than an intentional business decision, Lawson quickly learned how all-consuming a passion project could...

Elizabeth Stone fell into the jewelry design business on accident. A happy accident. “I was working as Creative Director and started making jewelry on the side as a new creative outlet. I fell in love with hunting for gemstones and the entire process ...

Emi Connor received a hematite ring, fell in love with gemstones, and subsequently began jewelry making in 2013. The brand, which offers flower shaped pieces, is influenced by colors and nature that Emi finds in the outside world: “beautiful colors of...

Mélodie Dagault launched her line, Euclide, in 2005 with her fiancé, a gemologist she credits with instilling her with a love of stones. Delicate, feminine, and poetic, the pieces reflect the “less-is-more” mantra of Parisians. “Parisian girls are very i...

A fashion design graduate from Parsons School of Design, it wasn’t until she began working for a fine jewelry designer that Alexandra Cole Nelson found her true calling. After enrolling in goldsmithing courses and collecting enough courage, she finally laun...

Friends Katrin and Victoria launched Eyland Jewelry in 2014, after both expressing an interest in pursuing a project together. Both eclectic in their personal style, the brand offered them an outlet to express their unique interests, with inspiration for...

Born and raised in Fresno, California, Briana Rose was making and selling jewelry as early as high school, naming the line after herself before rebranding to what is now known as Five and Two. “I’m an entrepreneur and an artist at heart, so I think those...

Keltie Leanne Designs was founded in 2011 in Vancouver Canada as a creative outlet for the designer while she worked full time in ad sales. The line has grown far beyond a side project for the designer and her latest Geo Collection features classic shape...

Launched in 2013 while she was still living in Los Angeles, Cindy Kaiser has always been a hands on creative. Now, the Swiss native is running her brand from the city of Chicago while also leaving ample time to travel. “I travel rather frequently so I'd ...

From New York City to Italy, living around the globe has given Laura Lombardi unparalleled inspiration and perspective as a jewelry designer. Drawing on her background and new home base of New York City, the FIT grad spends her days handcrafting sculptur...

It was while she was studying art direction that Laurie Fleming discovered her love for jewelry design. Always enamored with the idea of making things, she is self-taught in the art of metalsmithing. “I feel like it’s an interesting and rare opportunity ...

It’s difficult to believe that the success of Leah Alexandra’s line all began with a single piece of jewelry. Desperate and unable to find the perfect turquoise necklace, she searched for a gemstone supplier and made her own. 15 years later, she’s design...

A self-proclaimed jewelry designer from the age of eight, Liesel Love founder Heidi Girard has always had a love for her craft. Over the years, the designer immersed herself in lessons, spanning from wax carving to model making to metalworking, ensuring she...

While Lindsay Lewis began her line in 2013, she’d been designing and making jewelry for eight years prior to that. Based in Chicago, she draws inspiration from her surroundings and the beautiful subtle details she witnesses on a daily basis. “My most rec...

While sourcing textiles for a local fashion designer, Elaine Kim realized that she was longing for a creative outlet of her own. She had the desire to apply her artistic aesthetic to something that could easily be worn, so she launched Lover's Tempo in 2008...

For Caribbean designer Luiny Rivera, an eye for bold shapes and eclectic details has always come naturally. Initially studying to become a teacher, her hesitation in her future career path lead her to explore the art of jewelry making. “I created one of ...

When Lucia Mouet launched LUMO, it was with the intention to grow a line of jewelry from her own personal desire to find everyday fine jewelry to wear. “I learned the craft through studying a few independent studios in Southern California, and after that...

A fashion jewelry line inspired by the dreamers, lovers and lonely hearts in us all. This elegant and romantic line of classic contemporary jewels is inspired by current trends, pop culture and the fem in us all!

Spurred on by her childhood dream to pursue fashion design, Jennifer Machett switched from reworking vintage clothing to designing jewelry. Thus, the Atlanta based brand was established in 2017. Machete offers simple and clean pieces that are influenced ...

It’s difficult to believe that Vanessa Martinez first began her jewelry line while only a sophomore in high school. Fascinated by jewelry design as a creative outlet, she focused on creating unique yet elegant pieces that would allow a large spectrum of wom...

Equally derived of necessity and an itch to create, Claudette Martinez launched her line in 2011 while studying under FIT’s jewelry program. Inspired by her Caribbean roots and her home of New York City, the pieces she creates are just as intricate as th...

Motivated by creativity and an inexplicable desire to create beautiful objects, Melanie Auld has been designing jewelry for over 15 years. “It really just seems like an extension of myself. I don't think anything would have stopped me from creating this ...

It’s difficult to believe that when the Melanie Casey jewelry line launched in 2014, it was out of a small spare room in the founder’s home. A lover of anything feminine and delicate, the line houses pieces that focus on those attributes while experimenting...

Having never grown out of her childhood obsession with jewelry and all things that sparkle, Melinda Maria debuted her brand in 2005. Based in Los Angeles, the designer is influenced by the effortless cool that the people in the city exude. “People ...

Originally a footwear designer, Savannah Watson was inspired to explore a craft she could produce on her own. This decision lead her to jewelry design, launching Merewif in 2012. Meaning “sea witch” in Old English, Watson wanted the name of her line to r...

When Kristen Robison launched Minoux in Fall of 2014, it was with the intent to create handcrafted modern heirlooms. In the years since her brand’s conception, she has remained loyal to her initial vision, expanding on her those first ideas to establish ...

Founded in 2011, Bali-based brand Monsieur Blonde is constantly inspired by its surroundings. “Bali has an amazing vibe, and you feel like everything is possible here, as long as you want it and believe in it strongly enough; and as long as you work hard fo...

When Nectar Nectar launched, it was with one clear cause in mind -- to create ethical statement pieces that further improve the environment of its artisans. Partnering with nonprofit Nectar Foundation, the line does just that, providing female artisans in I...

“Living in New York, there's so much to offer and I make an effort to get out there and expose myself to as much of it as possible,” reflects Tia Marie Harley. For her, launching a jewelry line was a fairly organic process, stemming from her design ba...

Created in 2009, New York City-based brand Shashi is heavily inspired by global travel and womanhood. The brand's pieces reflect the bold and colorful cultures of the world and embody the individuality of women everywhere. "Untold stories and femininity ins...

Fueled by a love for working with her hands and storytelling, Sofia Ajram launched her brand after graduating with a degree in Japanese and Women’s Studies. Her debut collection, Urobune, was inspired by a Japanese legend, a tale she combined with her in...

When Susan Alexandra began her line in 2013, it was a surprise even to her. Initially just a hobby that occupied her free time, she quickly fell in love with the art form and decided to pursue it professionally. Based in New York City, Alexandra believe...

Tai Rittichai launched her namesake line, Tai Jewelry, in 2012 shortly after moving to Los Angeles. It was there that she noticed that there was lack of high quality fashion jewelry with fine jewelry finishings and details. One simple design then lead to an...

“It wasn't until I got admitted to the Fashion Institute of Technology and studied the art of jewelry making that I fell in love with jewelry,” recalls the founder of Tippy Taste Jewelry on how she got her start in the industry. Inspired by the beauty of ev...

Launched in 2014, Fiona Morrison of Wolf Circus began her business while simultaneously working on her business degree from the University of Victoria. Now, she focuses on creating designs that provide quality and versatility first. “I live in Vancouver, Ca...

In the Spotlight with Claflin, Thayer & Co.

Posted by Adeline Hocine on June 13, 2017

Liz Thayer is no stranger to legacy. As the founder of sewing and design studio, Claflin, Thayer & Co., she has carried on the same name that her great-grandfather first established in 1830. Back then, the company was a boot and shoe manufacturer based out of New York City. Now, you can find the brand creating timeless staples out of Berkeley and quickly popularizing voluminous lips everywhere.

I started Claflin, Thayer & Co. in 2009 as a hobby. I was working full-time as a shoe and accessories designer for a big corporate retailer, but felt a disconnect designing for such a large company. I spent most of my time in front of a computer or in sales meetings. I missed the hands-on connection of making things, but I did learn a lot about business and how to think strategically about retail. My focus was always more in the creative realm, but working in retail corporations really sparked my interest in the business and operations side of things.

Claflin, Thayer & Co. was originally founded in New York City in 1830. What is it like to carry on the name of such an established brand?

People sometimes have a hard time pronouncing the name Claflin, Thayer & Co. and I'm aware that complicated names are never a good thing when branding your business. But, it was the obvious and only choice for me. My dad's great-great-grandfather started the original Claflin, Thayer & Co. in 1830 as a boot and shoe manufacturer in what is now Tribeca. The business was a family affair for over a hundred years until it closed down under my great-grandfather's management during the Great Depression. I think it's neat that I have fallen into the same work, so resurrecting the family name seemed like a given to me.

Where did the idea for your "Lips Bag" originate?

My good friend Joylne has a beautiful, sultry pout and always wears red lipstick. I was directly inspired by her when I first designed the lips bag. The "Addicted to Love" video by Robert Palmer and the famous 80's red plastic lips telephone were also inspiring. I wanted to make cosmetic pouches as gifts, and lips seemed like the perfect shape to hold lipstick and makeup. They are fun and quirky but also practical. I want everything I make to captivate the customer. There are so many bags on the market, and I really try to design things that have more of a soul and can make an emotional connection with the customer.

How do you think living in California, specifically Berkeley, influences the work that you create?

I grew up in Berkeley and have settled back here as an adult. I lived and worked in New York for a while, which was so fun and inspiring, but almost overwhelming at times. There were so many designers, artists, photographers, etc. working there and it's very competitive. When I moved back to Berkeley, I really fell into my own groove. I find I'm much more inspired working without so much fashion industry around me when I can just do my own thing. The quality of life is so good here - weather, food, and nature. I'm a happier person here, and that increases my motivation to work.

How did this collaboration come about?

Alexis of Local Eclectic reached out with the idea of doing a mini-version of the lips bag, inspired by the need for a cute travel jewelry pouch. She had been using a little square fabric bag, but dreamed of something more chic. I loved this idea and we went to work right away on making it happen. I love working with like-minded companies to create special bags tailored to their specific markets.

Was it more challenging to work on a smaller scale? If so, how did you navigate that process?

There were a few challenges. I made some samples first to work them out before doing the production run. When you shrink a shaped pattern down, every stitch has to be just right. If any of the sewing is off, the shape can get distorted very quickly. The leather was also a tad thicker than what I normally use, which made turning the bags a bit trickier.

How do you spend your free time?

I like to go on weekend road trips and adventures, go to the beach and river, garden, pick fruit in the summer, draw, go thrifting, cook out in the yard, and hang with my friends and family, of course.

What do you do to achieve work / life balance?

This is always challenging. I have to make a point to carve out time for myself. I love taking classes. I just took a three-part class on Botanical Beauty where I learned about making natural skin care produts. Learning about something new keeps me inspired and excited. I am making a big point to get on a regular exercise routine again, because I know my brain works so much better when I am regularly active.

What words of wisdom do you have for someone interested in pursuing their own business?

Start saving money. Take care of any bad credit. Talk to business owners and find out what their challenges were. Take a business class! Write a business plan. I took a business class and it really helped me think strategically about what I need to do for my business. It's very empowering to take control and educate yourself on how to run a business successfully. Don't be afraid to ask for help!

What's next for your brand?

Big things! Until very recently, I've had a full-time job and run Claflin, Thayer & Co. on the side, but I've made the decision to do my business full-time. It's been something I've wanted to do for a long time, but it's hard to leave that stability. I got to a point where I decided that the time is either now or never. I'm moving into a newly expanded workspace and will be spending a lot more time focusing on my business this summer. I'm excited to have new products, more website updates, and new wholesale accounts. Wish me luck!